Parra to Receive Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts at 27th Pell Awards
Additional honoree announced for June 9 fundraiser event for Trinity Rep Trinity Repertory Company announces Francis Parra will receive the Rhode Island Pell Award for Excellence in the Arts at the 2026 Pell Awards Gala. Parra, the Teatro ECAS Founding Artistic Director, joins Trinity Rep’s outgoing Artistic Director Curt Columbus and philanthropist and volunteer Paul J. Choquette, Jr. as the evening’s honorees. Columbus will receive the Pell Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts in recognition
Roger Williams University Names Dr. Vitaliano Figueroa Vice President for Student Life
Figueroa brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience in higher education and student affairs Roger Williams University (RWU) has announced the appointment of Vitaliano Figueroa, EdD, as the new Vice President for Student Life, following an extensive national search. He will succeed long-time Vice President John King, who is retiring after more than 22 years of service. Figueroa will officially assume the role on July 13, 2026. “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Figueroa to the RWU
RWU Appoints Dr. B. Gökhan Çelik As New Dean of School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management
Longtime faculty member and academic leader to guide SECCM’s next phase of growth and innovation Roger Williams University has appointed B. Gökhan Çelik, Ph.D., as the next Dean of the School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management (SECCM), following a national search. A longtime member of the RWU community, Çelik has been serving the school as Interim Dean since July 2025. Çelik brings more than 16 years of experience at RWU, where he has held a range of leadership roles including
RWU Launches Rhode Island’s First “Inside-Out” Class at the Rhode Island Training School
RWU’s School of Justice Studies launches Rhode Island’s first Inside-Out Exchange Program, bringing together students and sentenced youth in a shared academic experience. Roger Williams University is proud to announce the launch of Rhode Island’s first “Inside-Out” class, at the Rhode Island Training Schoolin Cranston, Rhode Island. This innovative college course brings together undergraduate students from RWU’s School of Justice Studies (“outside students”) and residents of the Rhode Island Training
